Who is George Pickens?
The injury to Dak Prescott’s primary receiver, Ceedee Lamb, has been a breakthrough moment for offseason acquisition George Pickens.
Prescott was supposed to find Lamb in the endzone half a dozen times by week 6. Instead, Pickens, who Dallas acquired in the offseason from the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for a 2026 third-round pick and 2027 fifth-round pick, has wrangled in six touchdown receptions entering week 7.
Dallas also acquired a 2027 sixth-round pick as part of the deal.
But Pickens’ success shouldn’t come as a surprise to football experts or those who have followed the 24-year-old through his time in the Steel City.
Pickens was drafted in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft out of the University of Georgia. He signed a rookie deal for $3.656 million for four years.
He became an immediate threat in the air as a rookie. Pickens posted 801 yards across 52 receptions and four touchdowns. He was targeted 84 times and averaged 15.1 yards per reception.
The Cowboys, feeling primed for a deep playoff run, offered to take him with one year remaining on his rookie contract.
The deal has worked out beautifully, albeit with the unexpected absence of Lamb.
Pickens has already surpassed his season high in touchdowns, registering his sixth touchdown on Sunday against the Carolina Panthers. He was pivotal in the week 4 Sunday night clash against NFC-opponent Green Bay Packers, pulling in two touchdown receptions, going 8-for-11 in receptions for 134 yards.
Although that game ended in a tie, Pickens’ role in that game and the rest of the season cannot be understated.
Pickens complete stat line this year is as follows per ESPN: 6 games played, 32 receptions, 48 targets, 525 yards, 16.4 yards-per-game, 6 touchdowns, 28 first-down receptions and the longest play was 45 yards.
The Alabama native is on pace to smash his previous season totals in every category.
As the lead wideout, he is on pace for 1,487 yards and 17 touchdowns. He passed the 1,000 yards mark in 2023, producing 1,140 yards on 63 receptions when he was a sophomore and his quarterbacks were Kenny Pickett, Mitchell Trubisky, and Mason Rudolph. He wasn’t a redzone threat at the time, however, with just five touchdowns in 17 games played.
Prior to the NFL, Pickens led the Georgia Bulldogs in receptions (49), receiving yards (727), and touchdowns (8) as a freshman in 2019. Injuries plagued the rest of his college career, ultimately leading to him playing four games as a junior, catching five passes for 107 yards, before Georgia won the 2021 national championship.
With all his success, ensuring the long-term stay of Pickens in Dallas seems desirable, almost like the obvious thing to do.
His current one ends after this season, leading the Cowboys to an interesting predicament. Lamb signed a four-year deal in August 2024, cementing his stay in Dallas. Tight end Jake Ferguson is no. 1 in targets with 51 – three more than Pickens – right now. He just signed a four-year $52M extension in July 2025.
Dallas could place a franchise tag on Pickens and then look to move him for cap reasons, assuming Pickens does not get moved once Lamb returns full-time.
It’s clear that the Dallas coaching staff designed the pass offense around Ferguson and Pickens while Lamb has been sidelined.
What Happens Next?
Pickens is the primary No. 1 receiver while Lamb is gone.
Lamb is tagged as questionable now, which means Lamb could resume playing as early as this weekend.
Although his role could be limited if the Cowboys want to ease him into game action, it would offer one more big opportunity for Pickens to deliver another stellar performance.
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Categorized:Cowboys